Giant Steps...

The Hat Building shuffles the future a bit...

A couple of films have shifted their schedules since we last exclusively broke the news announcing the line-up for Walt Disney Animation Studios 2014 - 2018 back in July.  Those of you that read our report will remember that "Moana" was to be late 2018 following the last release of "Giants" in 2016.

Well, that has been confirmed.

Giants and Moana have official dates.  This isn't because of any trouble the productions have, only that Giants has progressed to a point where it has earned an earlier slot.  There was a time when Moana was thought to be put ahead of Giants, but the goal is to advance projects as their status changes.  Slots open up and slots get moved around.  Think of this as solidifying of tentative plans.

Ron and John's film is steadily moving along, but it's taking its own sweet time, and the powers that be have decided to give it more time for the story and structure to settle.  In film, particularly in animation, anything can happen and schedules can still change as well as films can be canceled, but as of right now this is the order:

The full line-up of Mouse/Lamp films (sans DisneyToons films):


Frozen (11/27/13)
The Good Dinosaur (5/30/14)
Big Hero 6 (11/7/14)
Inside Out (6/19/15)
Finding Dory (11/25/15)
Zootopia (3/4/16)
Untitled Pixar Film (6/17/16)
Giants (11/23/16)
Untitled Pixar Film (6/16/17)

Untitled Pixar Film (11/22/17)

Moana (3/9/18)


Again, life is fluid and animation is the very definition of that statement.  Films are in flux until they are finished, and then they're either glorified or excused.  But it's a good time for Disney animation.

For the company and its suits, the animators and fans...

Lost In Space...

Not everything that starts out in the Hat Building always makes it out...

Just ask the creators of "My Peoples", "Musicana", "Hare in My Soup" or a number of orher animated films/shorts that started out blasting off the creative launch pad only to crash and burn years down the line.  But when projects die at Walt Disney Animation Studio, it's more like a slow, cold, isolated death.

There is usually no person to come in and tell you it's over and you're let go.  The words: "You're Fired!" rarely come out of the suit that's been avoiding you.  Instead, it's the loneliness of working on something that will never be seen.  It's the calls that aren't returned.  Or maybe the meetings that can never be set up.  The silence of walking down the hallway after working all night trying to get the kinks out of the story you've been working on for months, or years on some projects.  Such is the case of projects that just aren't working out, or of a creative falling out with the ones above you.

That appears to be the case on Dean Wellins "space race" film.  It was an attempt at something daring, but each passing version of it has fallen further from its goal.  While the film isn't dead, it is in the process that films go through before they fall off the chart as its creator moves on to another project or another studio.  No recognizable advancement has happened on the story for some time now.  It's moved further down the line as each project that is in better development moves ahead of it.

This shouldn't reflect badly on Dean.  He's a great animator and compelling storyteller.  Sometimes even a good idea can't find it's way out into the world.  It took "The Snow Queen" many years and several directors to make to the point someone was confident enough to green light it for production.  And even then, "Frozen" will bare little resemblance to the Hans Christian Andersen story, much less the first reels of the original animated version.  Sometimes stories move beyond their creators, and their creators simply move on.

There might be a story breakthrough on it.  There is time with so many films already in front of it.  But time isn't the main problem, story is.  While the project began like "Big Hero 6" as a story unlike any typical Disney animated film.  The Marvel project has moved forward, the adventurous attempt to capture Millenials with a tonal story involving science fiction, outer space and teen racing hasn't.  At least not enough to advance closer to production.  Several projects that were proposed after it have moved in front of it.

Hopefully this race doesn't get cancelled...

Validating Tales...

Another piece of the Disney Animation falls into place...

Those of you that read last month's post "Clear Road Ahead" where we exclusively revealed the upcoming slate of WDAS for the next five years.  Other sites link to our post, but strangely disappeared within a day.  now, the guys over at Bleeding Cool have posted a lot more detail about a project we told you about.

I can verify that much of what they report is true according to Bothans.  The project began when Nathan Greno pitched the idea to Lasseter around the time he was working on co-directing "Zootopia" with Byron Howard.  The creatives decided that they were both capable of directing on their own on differing projects.

Check out their article for the details.  I had promised my Bothans to not reveal too much, but now that it's out there it's fair game.  It'll be a great film if it makes it out based on what I've seen.

I wish I could say the same for Dean Wellins' project...

Big Six...

 

So after "Frozen" comes out the Mouse moves in a very different direction...

And today at the D23 Expo guest got a tease of how different that would be with the news about "Big Hero 6".  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to be there this year. I have the real world pressing me so I had to make other plans. But luckily, I've seen what everyone else saw today.  And if you look around the web, you've noticed a reaction from people that have seen the clips and the concept art.  It is definitely Disney, but it is also different.

I've known about this for a while (I mean, what did you think Blue Sky meant when we said Don Hall was directing a marvelous film?), but they finally revealed the list of characters that are going to be in the film. And they're mostly from the second volume of the comic book, not the original comic. Keep in mind that these are adaptations of those characters, and they aren't exactly the same as the ones in the comics.  Don Hall wanted characters that weren't as well formed in the minds of comic book fans so that he could play with the characters more. He didn't want fans screaming at him that you didn't include this or you changed that.  So if you've read the comic, you'll enjoy the movie, but it will not exactly be the same.

Here are the list of characters in the film.  For those that know, and don't know:



Hiro Hamada  - Based on the comic character Hiro Takachiho, a brilliant teen with computer skills far beyond his age.

Baymax - The character is basically the same as the comic, he's almost like a robotic best friend, and is largely like the character in the comic, slightly Disneyfied.

Go Go - Known in the comic as GoGo Tomago, she is the bad girl of the group; the one with attitude and reflecting as an outsider in the group.  In the film she's a bike messenger.

Wasabi No Ginger - An assassin chef that is an expert knife thrower, think Bullseye if he were a cook.

Honey Lemon - She is the possible love interest for Hiro in the film, a chemist that he has a slight crush on.

Fred - Known in the comic as Fredzilla, he has the ability to transform into monstrous creature, thus explaining the name.  In the film he is a comic book geek.



A little note, if you watched the atmosphere teaser that came out a while ago, if you look inside the trolley going down the streets you can see Hiro's inside.  Just a little detail that you didn't know and might like.

And just wait until you see the first trailer…

Gelè...

The seasons are changing and before you know it, winter will be here...

And with that, Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Frozen" will be released.  Not just in America, but the world as well.  Disney's marketing department is well underway promoting this about the world.  There are beautiful posters in every country across the world, beautiful campaigns, amazing banners and entertaining trailers to melt the heart of every Disney Animation fans.

While I can't wait to see the Scandinavian posters, the ones we've seen so far are quite beautiful.  These French posters are quite lovely to look at, and when you placed them together you get a surprisingly magical image.  It's nice to have Disney Magic back, isn't it?

And just wait until you see some of the posters for Big...

Clear Road Ahead...

The future under The Hat Building is being revealed...

When the schedule was announced a couple of weeks ago, a lot of people were confused as so many of the films coming out from Walt Disney Animation Studios had the same name: "untitled".  Well, perhaps it should've just been said unrevealed.  Because now we will slowly start to give you a hint as to what lies ahead, and what you can be prepared to see over the next few years.

Other sites have started to get an inkling as to what is ahead, so I've been given permission to reveal a  little more of what's ahead by my Bothans.  After "Frozen" comes out this year (expect the actual trailer out around "Cloudy 2") we have next year's most unusual animated film yet with the Marvel adaptation of "Big Hero 6" to make an impression on Disney fans like no film before it.  WDAS takes a year break before starting back again on 2016 with Byron Howard's (sans Greno who was attached before his own project) "Zootopia" staring a very foxy Jason Bateman.  Then Nathan Greno's new twist on fairy tales entitled "Giants" which will show you how much his influence on "Tangled" truly was ends out 2016.

After a short break we'll finally get Ron and John's next feature, "Moana" which will be a Polynesian tale involving the island folk and the idols made famous the world over.  It will also mark the directing duo's first computer animated film, or at least computer hybrid animated film (think "Paperman").  Following that, if story issues are worked out Dean Wellin's teenage space race animated film will rush to the screens.  Wellin's film is an unusual story that is different from most Disney Animation, just as Big Hero 6 marks a change in perception of what comes from the Mouse.

After that there are a couple projects being developed right now that are way too early to really get into.  But as you can see, the list of animated films coming ahead are more than just fairy tales.  And John Lasseter is working hard to make sure that the quality and content are focused and entertaining the way that fans expect animated films from Burbank.  So to put it in chronological perspective for you here is the schedule:


Frozen (2013)

Big Hero 6 (2014)

Zootopia (2016)

Giants (2016)

Moana (TBA, likely 2018)

Untitled Dean Wellin's  animated feature ( TBA, likely 2018)


Just get some animated shorts in front of them...

Cold Story...

I know many were not thrilled with the teaser for WDAS's  "Frozen" when it came out...

But it was just a scene from the film.  Not a full teaser, or trailer.  It was meant to show you that a new animated film was coming from the Mouse.  And it was supposed to let you know that it was funny.  Well, not everyone liked it.  Don't worry, the next trailer, and yes, it is a trailer, will give you much more.

The first actual trailer for the film will be out before you know it, and it's a much better look at the story.  In fact it actually tells you what the story is.  It fleshes out the narrative and lets you get to get a better look at the world and who lives in it.  For those that wanted a real look at the film, you'll be pleasantly surprised.

This actual trailer won't leave so many in the cold...

Frozen Assets...

I'm sure you've all seen the teaser that's been released for the Mouse's next animated film...

Many have complained about the fact that the humor reminded them of something like "Ice Age" more than it did a Disney animated film.  Well, remember that this is just a scene showing off the secondary characters and it doesn't show you the full scope of the magical world that the animators have brought to life.

The characters are really quite classic, but with a bit of a modern edge, the way "Tangled" was.  But the Bothans seem to like the way the story is moving and they're proud of the work they've done.  If you've enjoyed what has come over the past few years then you won't likely be disappointed in this one.  Plus you have that the first Mickey Mouse cartoon in a long time placed right in front of it. 

But that's a horse of a different color...

Blue Sky Buzz: The Coming Magic From The Hat...

What a difference a few years make...

Remember how DreamWorks Animation was firing on all cylinder and hiring people left and right?  It was the place to be with a long production schedule that meant a long tenure and job security.  And then the economic hardship that happened last year?  There have been a few layoffs at Disney over the past year or so, but not that many.  It's actually a fairly lean machine right now.

The Walt Disney Animation Studios has had a good bit of success over the past few years.  The dry spell that was a decade worth of films that topped off the Eisner years was over with the arrival of "Bolt"  It was a bit of a hybrid, coming from a story that Chris Sanders had conceived called "American Dog", up until he was sadly let go.  Lasseter brought in a fresh crew and they reworked the story more to his taste and what he felt audiences would like.  Then came "The Princess and the Frog" which hearkened back to the glory of the early 90's musicals in form, and glorious hand drawn, but with limited box office results.

Then came the first fully formed film of the Lasseter generation at Disney: "Tangled", which went on to become a huge success both critically, and financially.  This was the success that animators working in the Hat Building had been waiting for.  Many were tired of their younger sister up north getting all the credit for the great animated films coming out of the company.  They knew they could make them if just given the chance and this was their moment to shine.  But don't think that the new films of Disney Animation would just be fairy tales.  When you wish upon a star can mean more than just a tiara and a carriage made from a pumpkin.

The thoroughly modern, totally hip, and culturally relevant "Wreck-It Ralph" came out last year and showed that the films of the Mouse don't all have to be classic in approach as well.  But the times since Eisner left have resulted in Disney working on creating a better branding of itself.  Pixar has an identity that is clear when you see Luxo Jr. hopping across the screen.  You know what you're going to get.  With Disney, it used to be that way, but from the later 90's on it became less clear.  Some people had trouble defining what is and what should be a Disney animated feature.  Glen Keane has said it best I think (paraphrased):  Pixar's motto is "Wouldn't it be cool if" and Disney's motto is "Once Upon A Time".

This year we go back to the classic appeal of a fairy tale with WDAS's "Frozen", a story inspired by "The Snow Queen", but not a literal adaptation.  As Tangled wasn't exactly "Rapunzel", neither will this film be to the Hans Christian Andersen story.  That being said, it will be entertaining, lovely, funny and absolutely Disney.  The Disney that was started when John Lasseter was brought in.  It's taken a while to get the entire place moving as an organization that has a unique culture.  Especially since the 90's fractured that culture, and it takes time to rebuild it.  And you have to want to construct it back in the right way: the Disney way.

After this year's film, the studios next one is the most unusual story for a Disney film.  "Big Hero 6" has been in development for some time and if you've read our updates then you know that we've given you hints (marvelous new film) about it over the last couple of years.  But we couldn't reveal too much for the safety of our Bothans.  If you've seen the test shot that was released then you realize that this film is going to be headed in a different direction that what you're used to when you think of the name Disney.

And that is what you can expect over the next slate of Disney animated films.

They won't be from the same mold everyone is used to.  They will be absolutely Disney though.  Just remember that what we talk about here is "blue sky", which means it's what is planned and not what you will finally or necessarily get.  Things change during the development and certain films, or their ideas will have been changed by the time they make it to the big screen.  And the release dates are simply guide post, they're not written in stone and a few may change, but the list we gave you last week is the map ahead.  Barring any obstacles, it should remain mainly a consistent clue to the direction Disney Animation is headed for the foreseeable future.  Now you know that BH6 is the 2014 release and the list that was announced the other day started in 2016.  Did they forget to include the 2015 release?  No, they didn't.

There is no WDAS film for 2015.

This could change, but as of right now, the next film after 2014, is the new film from Byron Howard in 2016. This is the film you've heard the rumors about Jason Bateman starring in.  While I can't say much about it, lets just say that the story is evolving into a very funny, sweet take on wildlife from a different point of view.  After that the schedule isn't set, but several projects will be in a race to get that next slot at the end of 2016.

Right now Dean Wellins has a genre-hybrid film that he's working on that is lined up with Bob Iger's strategy of getting more of the young male demographic to seeing Disney films (Marvel and Star Wars were bought for this purpose).  But if it makes it in 2016 is entirely up to how the story is developing by then, and any trouble by Lasseter and his Story Trust (WDAS version of Pixar's Brain Trust) would mean that another film would get called up to the slot.  What other film could be next?  Or if not then, which one would be the next one released for 2018?

Another prime candidate would be Ron & John's new film.  If it's ready, it could be the later 2016 film, but as of now it's more likely to be the first 2018 release.  Their new film is of the Polynesian persuasion shall we say.  And it could turn out to be the duos first computer animated film.  It's not in concrete now, so don't everyone get upset.  They're currently working on the story for the most part, but test are being done to see how the characters act and look in computer form as well as a hybrid solution (think: Paperman).  A while ago, Ron and John pitched two different ideas to John and the Story Trust and this particular story they're working on was the one the Creatives gave the green light.  It's gone through several versions and will likely go through a few more before given the approval to move forward into actual production.

And before anyone asks, there is/was no movement on "King of the Elves" at this time.  It doesn't mean there won't be any, but as of right now, Chris Williams is busy helping on other projects right now and John and everyone feels that they'll just let this story sit for a while.  It doesn't mean that it's dead, I mean, look how long it took for "The Snow Queen" to actually make it into production.  And what it became is miles from where it started out, so who knows what it'll look like when/if it makes it to the silver screen.  Animated film take a long time to come together.  It doesn't mean that you won't see it be one of these films, but it's not one as of right now.

There are a couple other projects that are in very, very early stages that Lasseter has signed off on to develop, but not much will be known about these until they've been run through several story sessions.  So no news to report on these films since they're more of an idea at this point.

So that, in as brief an update as I can give you is what's happening with the current state of the current slate at the Hat Building.

Now, if they'll just approve a few more shorts to make for in front of those films...

An Untitled Slate...

Walt Disney Pictures has announced the line up for its major animation studios...

The studio has given a list of the release dates of both the Mouse and the Lamp.  The five year plan for Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios was put out to lay claim to those weekends.  Now, only the dates were published, not the titles.  That will only come as we get closer to the release date, and those dates are subject to change.  Nothing is chiseled in stone:

2016

Untitled Walt Disney animated film 3/4/16 in 3D.

Untitled Pixar animated film 6/17/16 in 3 D.

Untitled Walt Disney animated film 11/23/16 in 3D.

2017

Untitled Pixar animated film 6/6/17 in 3D.

Untitled Pixar animated film 11/22/17 in 3D.

2018

Untitled Walt Disney animated film 3/9/18 in 3D.

Untitled Pixar animated film 6/15/18 in 3D.

Untitled Walt Disney animated film 11/21/18 in 3D.



Now all we have to do is let the stories unfold...

Big Hero Secret...

Well the Mouse has finally announced the first animated Marvel film's release date...

If you've read our reports on Walt Disney Animation Studios, we were teasing that the studio was working on a "Marvelous" film.  The Bothans asked us not to reveal which one and we kept a lid on it till the Grid released the info about the project later in the year.  So now you all know about "Big Hero 6" for 2014.  And here is the first scene of what it will look like (this is one of a few test shots done for the film.) from the official site.

The director of "Winnie the Pooh", Don Hall is working on making a film that fits the mold of Disney, but falls within the world of comics.  But he wanted a project that didn't come with such a large built in fan base.  One where the animators could take the project and work it into a film that is classic Disney.  Don says:

“I was looking for something on the obscure side, something that would mesh well with what we do. The idea of a kid and a robot story with a strong brother element, it’s very Disney….Marvel properties take place in the real world. We were looking for something to do where we could make our own world — bring in the Japanese influences,  have recognizable landmarks mashed up with a Japanese aesthetic.”

If there was a film based on "Daredevil" or another established character, the fans would pick it apart for what it wasn't.  That's why they went with comic characters that had a lighter footprint in the Marvel universe.  Marvel's Joe Quesada is very involved in the story sessions and has been working on providing ideas for the story.  Here is the studios press release:

From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Big Hero 6,” an action comedy adventure about brilliant robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who finds himself in the grips of a criminal plot that threatens to destroy the fast-paced, high-tech city of San Fransokyo. With the help of his closest companion—a robot named Baymax—Hiro joins forces with a reluctant team of first-time crime fighters on a mission to save their city. Inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name, and featuring comic-book style action and all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, the CG-animated “Big Hero 6” hits theaters in 3D on November 7, 2014.

The film has gone through a couple screenings and Lasseter is very happy with the direction of the film, although several Bothans I talked to weren't as warm to the story.  But, animated films change monthly, as Lasseter's notes and the Story Trust work to refine the elements of the picture.  The first screenings of "Tangled" were very different from the final product.  And if you'd seen the original "Finding Nemo" it would be almost unrecognizable to the finished film.

But now Disney animation fans will get their first chance to step into the Marvel world...

Still Frozen...

Cold blooded, beautifully crafted...





Walt Disney Animation Studios 53rd animated film is deep in production...

But very little is known in the public about it. While it is based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen," very little else is known about it. A lot of internal artwork has been produced for the film. Apparently, a couple of stills have leaked like the one above. Much of what I've seen out there is artwork from previous incarnations, not the current version. So what do we know about it. A few bits of info for you:

First of all, it's entitled "Frozen" as the above artwork says. Disney marketing wants to stay as far away from royal titles as possible for fear of young boys not buying tickets. Tangled reinforced this idea, at least domestically it did. Nothing with a Queen or Princess will make it out as a title. A title with King in it could make it out though, but nothing as of yet is in the production pipeline.

While it is based on that classic tale, it's very, very loosely based on it. Think along the lines of "Tangled" and how little it resembles the fairy tale of "Rapunzel." The bare bones of that story is all that is intact and the rest of the story is entirely original. But the script was well enough to get the green light and move it ahead of "King of the Elves," which is no longer in production. John Lasseter feels strongly about the story, and the direction that Chris Buck is taking the narrative.

Yes, it is computer animated, not hand drawn, but the style is quite beautiful and evolved from traditional graphics that we expect in these films. Think about the swirly painted sets/backgrounds in Tangled that appear like they were taken out of a classical painting. Frozen will advance and alter this as well, but in a different direction (but not as much as Paperman, which you'll understand when you see it).

But the film that comes out next year will show you that the current state of Disney Animation is quite healthy...

Bad Guys Are Better...

Your expectations are going to be wrecked...




With each passing day, more and more info comes out about the Mouse's latest film...

Animated film, I mean. It's hard to believe that it's only a few more months before it comes out. Disney's marketing has been having press events, like the one that was held the other day and giving media some small bits of info about the project. This is where they screened that "Paperman" short I was telling you about. And everyone that saw it, loved it. Just go ahead and give it the Oscar for best animated short. It has it in the bag.

The guys from /Film were at the event and gave us a nice nugget to think over entitled: "50 Things You Didn't Know About Wreck-It Ralph." It's fun and informative so take a look at the article. And get ready for this to be the first year in a while that the Disney film actually beats the Pixar film when the box office is counted.

Yeah, that's what I said...

Unfinished Business...

Have your peoples call my peoples...






The vaults of Walt Disney Animation Studios are filled with projects never made...

Some good, some bad, a few great. All unmade, unanimated, unproduced. Dreams unfulfilled. That's the story of animation tales as many a project will find life, have it taken away from it, and sometimes be born again.

Such is the case with Josh Armstrong's excellent Animated View article on a shelved Barry Cook project known as "My Peoples" that was to have been one the Mouse's animated films in the middle of the last decade. But times change, Suits change and ultimately studios as well. This was in the dreaded "2D is Dead" period of Michael Eisner. And with the success of Pixar, the limited thinking of Suits in Burbank took a toll on many projects.

This was one of the really promising ones.

Paperclips...

That Oscar for best animated short, give it up...






John Kahrs' "Paperman" is getting an unbelievably large amount of positive buzz...

And it deserves every single piece of praise that is heaped upon it. It's truly marvelous, special and amazingly poignant. I've only seen a small amount, but I've talked to many who have watched the entire thing, and they're universally loving this Disney short.

There are several short films that the Mouse has released talking about it. So here for you are those:

The Idea.

The Drawings.

The Look.

So when you go to see "Wreck-It Ralph" this fall, you'll get a diamond-like bonus in front of that film. And while you will love the wonder and cleverness of Ralph, you will fall in love with this small black and white masterpiece.

And you will see the future of Disney Animation with this short...

Ralph Wrecks Panel...

Gonna wreck the box office...









Out of all the things that were shown at the Disney Panel, one film stole the show...

Or panel I should say. That would be the next animated film from Walt Disney Animation Studios if you're still not getting what I'm hinting at. Sure, "Oz: The Great and Powerful" looked stunning, and "The Lone Ranger" will be a giant Western epic if the film lives up to the teaser footage that was shown. But the film that got the most buzz, the most jabber, the most geeked out moments?

"Wreck-It Ralph"

Now, I've been telling you how well thought out, endearing and heart felt the story is for sometime. But yesterday a whole lot more people got a sense of what it is. I think this year will be the first one in a long time that the film released from the Mouse actually does better, and gets more buzz than the one released by the Lamp. And the cherry on top is the amazing "Paperman" short that you will be blown away by.

Disney will make a mint with this film. Mark my words. It is going to be a big hit. And Disney animation will knock away a few more detractors about their being irrelevant. This film shows you that after being under Lasseter for a little over half a decade, the Hat Building is finally going to be firing on all cylinders.

And "Frozen" will only add to that success next year...

Big Ideas...

Surprised to know...






Ok, many of you wanted to know this and now you shall...

I promised my Bothans that I wouldn't reveal much about the Marvel project that Walt Disney Animation Studios was working on, that I would only allude to it until something else broke about it. Well, now a website has let the cat out of the bag. Remember that I mentioned that the property would be unlike anything the Mouse had done before? I also mentioned to some that inquired about it, that Marvel owns 4000+ characters and everyone was thinking it was an animated "Iron Man" or "X-Men" or even "Power Pack." Well, it's not. It's not one of the top 100 or 200 characters even. The actual title is much more obscure than most people know. In fact, most comic book fans will not even know the title, or most of the characters. So, what is the title/characters that Disney is adapting into an animated film?

Big Hero 6.

What??? Yes, I know. It's not exactly a top title that many would remember. There have been, I believe, two series runs of this group and neither were very well known. If you want to know more about the characters then click on the link and read up. You may be seeing them in the near future. And if you want to know how soon? Well, after "Wreck-It Ralph" this year, next year is the Snow Queen adaptation, "Frozen" for 2013, but the slot that is set for 2014 has been put aside for Don Hall's project. Don Hall is the director of "Big Hero 6." In fact, he's the one that pitched the idea to Lasseter, who liked his take on the subject and approved it for development. Now, it's not fully green lit. The project is story boarded and has been deemed strong enough to tentatively put in the production line. So, if the story and script work out then you can expect this project to be the FIRST DISNEY ANIMATED MARVEL FILM.

And there you have it...

One Sheet/Many Characters...

Please deposit one peso, mark, whatever...







As the marketing campaign gets more focused we'll see more of the Mouse's next animated feature...

One such way for characters from a new film to be known is for the studio to release posters for individual subjects in a film. And Walt Disney Studios has just released some international one sheets for "Wreck-It Ralph" that give you a better look at what these 8-Bit creations look like behind the cabinet. Head over to Cine1 to see the collection.

Looking forward to pumping in a few coins for this one...

Unthawing...

A great script without the royalty in it's name...






Walt Disney Animation Studios let out who would be playing in the next year's animated feature...

While "Wreck-It Ralph" is having its finishing touches worked on as we speak, the Mouse is hard at work on 2013's release. Disney's "Frozen," also known as "The Snow Queen" now has a queen and a heroine. Here is the press release with the details:

Walt Disney Animation Studios presents an epic tale of adventure and comedy in Frozen, a computer-animated feature film slated for the big screen in November 2013. Directed by Chris Buck (Tarzan,Surfs Up) and produced by Peter Del Vecho (Winnie the Pooh,The Princess and the Frog), Frozen features the vocal talents of film/TV/stage star Kristen Bell as Anna, a young dreamer about to take the adventure of a lifetime, and Tony Award -winning actress Idina Menzel as Elsa the Snow Queen. The movie will feature original songs by Broadway greats Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez.

In Frozen, a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, so Anna (voice of Bell) must team up with Kristoff, a daring mountain man, on the grandest of journeys to find the Snow Queen (voice of Menzel) and put an end to the icy spell. Encountering Everest-like extremes, mystical creatures and magic at every turn, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom from destruction.

Bell has starred in a variety of films, including the comedies Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Couples Retreat, and the upcoming films Hit & Run, Some Girls and the Farrelly BrothersMovie 43. On the small screen, Bell is currently starring in the Showtime series House of Lies alongside Don Cheadle; she has also starred in Heroes and Veronica Mars. Broadway credits include The Crucible and Tom Sawyer.

Menzel, who won a Tony Award as Best Actress in a Musical for her role as Elphaba in Broadways Wicked (2004), landed her first role on Broadway in 1995 in the Tony Award-winning musical Rent. Film credits include Enchanted and the feature film Rent. She has appeared in a recurring role on TVs Glee and recently released Idina Menzel Live: Barefoot at the Symphony, a live concert with an orchestra led by composer/conductor Marvin Hamlisch. Menzel is currently on a North American concert tour.

Robert Lopez is a three-time Tony Award-winning writer of the Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical The Book of Mormon, which was co-written with Trey Parker and Matt Stone (South Park), and the musical Avenue Q, which ran for six years on Broadway and four years in Londons West End. Lopez teamed with wife Anderson-Lopez, whose Drama Desk-winning show In Transit is Broadway-bound, to write original songs for 2011s Winnie the Pooh, a stage version of Finding Nemo and a new musical called Up Here.

Word is that the script for this one is very good, and it was one of the reasons it was moved ahead of "King of the Elves" in the production line before Elves got put in turnaround. But the one I'm truly looking forward to is the one that is scheduled for release after 2013.

It's truly unlike anything WDAS has ever done before...

Home Improvements...

Not game over, man...





The official website of "Wreck-It Ralph" is up...

Take a look at it. And while there put in a quarter (metaphorically, of course) and play the actual "Fix-It Felix" game that Ralph is a part of. It's a nice site packed with all kinds of 8-Bit Eighties goodness. I look forward to more and more content being added.

Disney animators seem to be in very high spirits right now and deservedly so...